Apparatus for making molds for casting metals.



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A PATBNTBD JULY 14, 190s.'

ING MOLDS FOR GASTING METALS.

` A. c. BROCK.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10, 1907.

APPARATUS POR MAK rl. 3 1li... 3.. 9. 8 n" N PATENTED JULY 14, 19GB. A. G. BROCK.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING MOLDS FOR GASTI NG METALS.

A1PLICATION FILED TUNE l0. 1907.

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Ihren or ALFRED CLIFFORD BROCK, OF FAZAKERLEY, LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING MOLDS FOR CASTING METALS.

`Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 14, 1908.

Application filed June 10, 1907. Serial No. 378,210.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that' I, ALFRED CLIFFORD BROCK, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at Fazakerley, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, England, whose post office address is 38 Second avenue, Fazakerley, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in A paratus for Making Molds or Casting Metals; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to that class of machines which are automatic, or semi-automatic, in their nature, and particularly to the means whereby molds or arts thereof may be rammed or packed with sand and similar material.

This invention consists in the novel'construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a `front view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a side view of the machine. Fig. 3 is'a detail side view, and Fig. 4 is a partial plan view, of the flat ramming platen with vent pins. Fig. 5 is a detached side view, and Fig. 6 is a plan view, of one of the peg ramming platens. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 8 is an end view, of the axle which supports the platens. Fi s. 9 and 10 are end views of the valve contro ler.

. Fig. 11 is a detail view showing three peg rams.

In constructing a machine in accordance with these designs I make a main frame of the desired size, shape and arrangement by which the movable and other parts hereinafter described are held and operated in desired position and direction. This main frame as shown in the drawings is preferably composed of a base portion a rectangular in contour when seen in plan view on which is erected a standard l) rigidly fastened at its bottom endto the base a and supporting at its upper end the steam cylinder c with its valve chest d. This steam cylinder is situated immediately over and in line with a turn-over table e and is provided with a reciprocating piston f movably mounted therein whose piston rod g carries rigidly attached thereto a platen supporting frame h. This frame has movably mounted therein one or more sand ramming devices. In Figs. 1 and 2 this frame is shown carrying three of these rammlng devices, i, and lf, i and j.being peg ramming platens and k a flat ramming platen. Theseplatens are supported by the hollow shaft or axle L shown in Fig. 7 which is rotatingly mounted in the frame h. A ny one of these platens fi, j or 7c can instantly be revolved into ramming position when the locking pawl No. 1 is lifted which is carried by the frame h and falls into notches so arranged and provided in the disk 2 which is a fixed part of the axle L that any particular platen' can be held immediately over and inline with the table e which carries the molding box and patterns. The operation of the piston f thus moves up and down in a vertical direction the frame h with its various ramming devices hereinbefore referred to as the combination ramming head. To limit and regulate the vertical reciprocation of this combination ramming head the controller shown in Figs. 1, 9 and 10, is provided, consisting preferably of a frame or standard m used as a support for the hand lever n and the hand wheel o. The lever n and the wheel o are rigidly fastened to spindles 3 and 4 res ectively. These spindles being in gear wit each other by means of toothed wheels not shown thus if the hand wheel is revolved motion is transmitted through the geared wheels and their spindles to the hand lever likewise if the hand lever be moved the hand wheel is revolved. The tail end of the hand lever n is connected by suitable rods 5 and cranks 6 with regulating lever p of an automatic valve operating device g shown in side elevation Fig. 2. This valve device consists preferably of a sleeve 7 which has slidingly mounted therein the plunger 8 one end of which is pivotally attached to the platen frame h of the combination ramming head. The sleeve 7 also carries cast or rigidly attached to it the ears or lugs 9 and 10. The regulating lever p is pivotally mounted on the pin 11 carriedby.

the standard b. One end of this lever is pivotally attached to lug 10 of the sleeve 7 'while the other end is similarly attached to the connecting rod 12. The lug 9 of the sleeve 7 is suitably connected by means of a rod 13 to one end of the lever 14 which has its other end pivotally attached to the standard b. Situated and suitably attached between the ends of the lever 14 is the valve rod 15 which operates the valve of the valve chest d. Thus any movement of the recipin sectional elevationrocating piston f is communicated by the means mentioned to the valve rod and consequently to the valve.

An automatic movement being so established between piston f and its valve it becomes desirable to limit and regulate such movement so as to obtain a decreased or increased strole of the said piston and to further control such movement as to arrest and hold the piston in desired position. For such a purpose the before mentioned regulating lever p is provided, which is operated from the controller. Referring again to this controller it will be seen that any movement of the hand lever or hand wheel is communicated to the regulating lever p which forming as it does a movable fulcrnm for the valve device g conveys this movement to and by such device through the lug t) and the further means hereinbeforc mentioned to the valve. Thus the valve is under the operators control and so regulates and controls the reciprocation of the combination ramming head. The hand lever n is limited in its movements by the sector 16 which determines the highest and lowest positions of the ramming head. The hand wheel c has rigidly attached to its spindle the disl; 1.7 which has notches provided around its circumference into which the movable pawls 1S are flexibly held by the spring such arrangement being hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 that two peg ramming been provided. The object of this is that one platen may have rams adjusted to cenform to the contour of the top half of a pattern while the other platen has rams adjusted to conform to the contour of the bottom half when each half pattern is dissimilar, so that i may be called a cope peg ramming platen and y' a drag peg ramming platen'. Figs. 6 and .5 show one of these platens in plan and elevation. lt consists principally of a plate 20 in which are a number of screw tapped holes 21 to suit the screwed shank ends of the peg rams as shown in Fig. 11. This plate is rigidly attached to the braclets 22 which clip and are movably mounted on the eccentric portions of the spindles 2 and are sustained by the collars 24. Referring to the axle L shown in Fig. 7 these spindles are shown rotatingly mounted in thrust earings 25 which are rigidly attached to the axle L. The spindles with their eccentric portions are rotated by means of bevel toothed wheels 26 in gear with similar wheels 27 which are rigidly carried by a shaft 2S iournaled in the axle L. This shaft may be rotated by means of a flexible shaft from any suitable source of power or by an electric motor, or by the mechanism shown in Fig. 8 which consists principally of a ratchet wheel 29 rigidly mounted on the shaft 2S and it will be seen platens t and y have 19 the purpose of i l l i t l i mounted on a lever 3() loosely mounted on the same shaft which lever carries a loosely mounted pawl 31. The outer end of this lever is pivotally attached to a rod 32 which has its fnlcruni in the fixed standard l), thus the vertical reciprocation of thc combination ramming head results in a movement of the lever Il() whose pawl engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel and rotates the shaft 2S which through the means described imparts a horizontal motion to the peg ramming platens. Having now shown how the peg ramming platens have a horizontal movement simultaneously with their vertical movements it will be seen how the rams with their downward movements ram the sand in a downward direction and with their horizontal movements reach. each and every portion of the mold and further pachV the sand under the molding box bars and any projecting pieces which may be on the pattern.

Fig'. 3 shows the perforated flat ramming platen l' with its adjustable vent pin head. lt consists principally of a plate lil rigidly attached to the axle li. Like the peg ramming platens i and j it can be instantly revolved into ramming position and used to Vflat ram the mold. For venting the mold the vent pin plate shown in chwation, Fig. 3, is provided and mounted in the flat platen frame immediately behind the perforated platen This vent pin plate is preferablyv guide pins 35 rigidly attached to the axle L and the perforated platen 33 and is provided with a pluralityof vent pins Siti preferably screw threaded so as to be :uljustably mounted in such plate. For holding this movable vent pin plate in and out of venting position the lock nuts 37 are provided which are adjustable along the screw threaded supports 3S.

Further portions of the machine consist of the before mentioned table c shown in Figs. 1 and 2 used for fixing the patterns r to and for supporting and turning over the molding boxes S. ln the molding box s slotted guide pins 39 are shown which slots receive cottcrs which' firmly hold the molding box to the table while being turned over. To allow of this turning over the table is supported by the spindles or axles 4() which are rotatingly mounted in the -iournals of the plungers ll. These plungers are slidingly mounted in the plunger guides 42 and are each provided with toothed racks not shown which are in gear with and operated by toothed pinions slidingly leyed on a lievaved shaft lil. This shaft has slidingly keyed on it a wormwheel gearing with a worm operated by the hand wheel let, thus the operation of the wheel moves the plunger l] and consequently the table c in a if'ertical direction. lligidly attached to one of the axles l() is the eapstan wheel 45. This is used for turning the table over on its axles 40. A locking disl 476 is lll';

also provided which allows of the table being locked in a horizontal direction by means of a pawl 47 which falls into suitable notches'provided in the disk 46. A

The plunger guides 42 are each adjustable on the base plate b being preferably attached thereto by means of T headed bolts sliding in T shaped grooves provided in the base plate a. Thus the pinion and worm wheel not shown being slidingly keyed on the key-wayed shaft 43 allow of this lengthwise adjustment of the plunger guides without interfering with the mechanism for raising or lowering the table e.

Provision is made for locking the table at its correct height by means of the peg 48 which is slidingly mounted in a hole drilled through the plunger guide 42 and so arranged that half the circumference of the pin shall fit in a suitable Groove turned in the plunger and the other hatlf in the plunger guide at the point of intersection of the groove in the plunger with the drilled hole of the plunger guide. The purposes of these details will be more fully set forth in the description of the operation of the machine.

Referring to the frame 7L of the combination ramming head shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that rods 49 are attached to it at their lower ends and are movably mounted in brackets 50 carried by the standard b; Springs 51 are provided attached to either side of the brackets 50 and serve as cushions for the ram frame should it get beyond control.

The operation of the machine is as follows The patterns to be molded are fastened down to the table e of the machine and if split pat.- terns are used, as shown at r, that is patterns which are split along their joint lines for con# venience of molding, one portion of the pattern is iixed on one side of the table and its other portion iiXed in alinement with it on the opposite side of the table. The table e is raised by turning the hand wheel 44 to its correct height for rarnming purposes indicated when the peg 48 slips in the groove provided for it in the plunger 41 which peg thus locks it. Suitable peg rams are screwed into the platens i and j and are adjusted to conform with the shape and contour of the patterns used, care being taken that the peg rams are clear of the patterns and the table, when the combination ramming head is at the lowest point ofthe stroke. These peg rams must also be arranged in such a manner that ample clearance is provided for them between portions of the pattern and the molding boX and its bars, on account of their horizontal movement. Having so adjusted the rams and tightened their lock nuts the combination ramming head is lifted and sustained inits highest position by pushing over the hand lever n of the controller to the position t of the sector lshown in Fig. 9, such o eration admitting steam to the under side o the iston A molding boX s is placed on the ta le e and over the patterns r and is fastened down by cotters driven through the slots of the guides pins 39. This box is now filled with sand, or a frame may be placed on it to provide an amount of sand which shall be sufficient to fill the molding box when such sand is in a compressed state. The hand levernis pulled over to the position u of the sector 1 6 and the machine then commences to automatically ram at its full stroke. As the mold is being rammed it is desirable to vary or decrease the stroke and this is accomplished by turning the hand wheel o of the controller. In varying the stroke, in carrying out this invention, the length of the stroke may be allowed to remain constant, and the piston may be caused to reciprocate in a different part of the cylinder, so that the eg rams do not descend so far, or the stro e of the piston may be shortened to make the peg rams descend to the required point. As hereinbefore mentioned a disk 17l is provided immediately behind the hand wheel o and is rigidlyl attached to the same spindle. This disk having notches around its circumference with which the spring pawls 18 engage, offers a iiexible resistance to the rotation of the hand wheel o and so enables the operator, as the mold becomes rammed course by course, to rotate the hand wheel, notch by notch of the disk 17 and so to graduallydecrease the stroke of the ramming head until the mold is fully peg rammed. If the rotation of the hand wheel o be continued in the same direction throughout its full number of revolutions the hand lever n moving gradually in the sector finally reaches the position t from whence it first started and thus the ram is again being held in its highest position. The flat ramming platen k is now rought into ramming position, and if venting is required, the vent plate 34 with its vent pins 36 is suitably adjusted. The top of the mold .is now evened up and a scattering of sand thrown on. To flat ram the mold the hand wheel o is gradually rotated in a direction which reciprocates the ram-v ming head through its shortest stroke and gradually increases such stroke notch by notch of the disk 17 until the flat platen touches and inally fiat rams and vents if necessary the mold. The catch or pawl 47 is now released and the mold, table and patterns are turned completely over by the capstan hand wheel 45. The catch 47 falls into a notch in the locking disk 46 and locks the table horizontally in its inverted position., The table e is now lowered until the molding box'andits mold is supported by a bogie carriage 52. The cotters ofthe guide ins 39 are released and the table raised thus ifting with it thepatterns from out of the mold and leaving that half mold complete or ready for coring Which is then taken aWay on the bogie carriage. A similar operation is performed for the other half mold and the requisite top and bottom parts are thus made for the complete mold.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1'. In a molding machine, the combination, With a ramming platen, and means Jfor reciprocating it; of a series of peg rams projecting from the face of the said platen, each peg ram being adjustable by hand independent of the others, and means for securing the said peg rams rigidly to the said platen so that they cannot slide up or down independent of it.

2. In a molding machine, the combination, with a horizontal ramming platen, and means for reciprocating it vertically; of a series of peg rams proj ecting from the face of the said platen, and driving mechanism operating to move the said platen and rams periodically in a plane parallel to the face of the said platen.

3. In a moldingmachine, the combination, With a ramming platen provided with a series of holes, and means for reciprocating the said platen 3 of a series of peg rams adjustable by hand in the said holes and projecting from the face of the said platen, and means for securing the said peg rams rigidly to the said platen so that they cannot slide up or down independent of it.

4. In a molding machine, the combination, with a horizontally ramming platen, and means for reciprocating it vertically; of a series of peg rams carried by the said platen, and driving mechanism operating to gyrate the said platen and rams constantly in the same direction and in a plane parallel to the face of the said platen.

5. In a molding machine, the combination, With a horizontal ramming-platen, and means for reciprocating it vertically; of a series of rams carried by the said platen, and driving mechanism operating intermittently and between the down strokes of the platen to slide the said platen and rams horizontally so that the rams operate on different spots at each successive down stroke.

6. In a molding machine, the combination,

with a iiat ramming platen provided with periorations, and means Vfor reciprocatin the said platen, of a removable plate supported behind the said platen, and a series ot ventiiorming pins secured to the said plate and projecting through the perforations ot the said platen.

7. In a molding machine, the combination, with a supporting frame, and means for reciprocating it of an axle revoluble in the said frame, locking devices for securing the said axle to the said. frame in diierent positions, ramming platcns carried by the said axle, and adjustable peg rams projecting from the faces of certain of the said platens.

8. In a molding machine, the combination, With a supporting trame, and means for re ciproeating it 5 of an axle revoluble in the said frame, locking devices for securing the said axle to the said frame in dillerent positions, ramming platens provided with peg rams and supported by the said axle, and driving mechanism operating to move the said platens and. rams periodically inv planes parallel to the faces of the respective platens.

9. In a molding machine, the emnbination, with a sand ramming device, and a [luid pressure motor for reciprocating it provided with a piston-rod and a regulating valve, of lever mechanism for operating the said valve automatically from the said piston-rod, and means for adjusting the said lever mechanism by hand to vary the stroke ol the said motor.

l0. In a molding` machine, the combination,\vith a sand. ramming` device, and a iluid pressure motor for reciprocating` it provided with a piston-rod and a regulating valve; of' a pivoted lever provided. with a Fulcrum pin, means for adjusting the said lever to vary the position of the said fnlcrum pin, and lever mechanism pivoted to the said liulcrum pin and operatively connecting the said valve with the said piston-rod.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED CLIFFORD BROCK.

Witnesses EDWARD HOLLIDAY, RICHARD WILLIAM CARTER., Jr. 

